Police, community and calendar briefs for March 21, 2013

Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 8:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 8:57 p.m.

POLICE BEAT

Report: 35 vehicles have tires slashed

Tires were slashed or punctured on 35 vehicles in east Ocala neighborhoods Monday night and Tuesday morning, according to the Ocala Police Department.

The department is investigating the rash of vandalism affecting 32 victims and including 35 vehicles and 74 tires at businesses and apartment complexes in the 1800 to 2000 blocks of East Silver Springs Boulevard and the 2000 block of Northeast Third Street to the 2600 block of Northeast Seventh Street.

Anyone with information about the damaged tires may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Call Detective Mary Brewton at 629-8425, OPD at 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.

Police looking for missing woman

Ocala police are looking for a woman who has been missing since Monday.

On Tuesday, officers went to 2910 NW 18th St. after receiving a report that Shawn Marie Crowl, 40, was missing.

Crowl’s boyfriend, Tony K. Brown, told an officer that the last time he saw his girlfriend was around 7 a.m. Monday. He said on Friday, the two had an argument. Brown said she was distraught and crying uncontrollably.

Brown said the back door was ajar Monday morning and she was gone, leaving her identification, debit card and cellphone behind.

Crowl’s mother told another detective that she last talked with her daughter on Saturday. The woman said Brown called her on Monday afternoon and said he didn’t know where she was.

Crowl’s mother said it was unusual for Crowl to leave her identification and cellphone.

Anyone with any information about Crowl can call 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.

Alleged robber shot; remains in hospital

A man who was shot while reportedly trying to rob an elderly man remains hospitalized, according to officials.

During his hospital stay, the 28-year-old Ocala man has been interviewed by Detective Rhonda Stroup and he denied trying to rob 81-year-old James Stevens on March 10. His recollection of the incident, authorities said, is hazy.

Though the investigation is ongoing, it appears the intended target will not face any criminal charges, officials said, based on the information they currently have.

COMMUNITY

Marion Community Services is moving

Marion County Community Services is moving to a new location at 2631 SE Third St., Ocala.

The new office opens April 1, and the current office will be closed on March 29 to enable the move.

For more information, call the office at 671-8770.

Basketball court to close for renovation

The basketball court at Cougar Park, 14660 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy, will temporarily close through April 16 for court renovation. Work will include the replacement of the old basketball court with a new one. All other park areas will remain open to the public during construction.

For more information, call 671-8560.

April 6 rib sale will benefit local family

A benefit rib sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6 to help Candice and Danny Batson and their newborn son, Easton. The sale will be $20 per slab, and ribs can be picked up at Grandview Rentals, 800 N. Pine Ave., Ocala.

Easton was born March 10 after an uneventful pregnancy but immediately was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit at Shands at the University of Florida. Doctors determined half his brain had necrotic matter and was slowly dying, and the other half had blood in it.

The Batsons need help with living expenses and such as their son continues to receive care at Shands.

SECO meeting is set for Saturday

Sumter Electric Cooperative (SECO) will conduct its annual Meeting of the Membership beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the co-op’s headquarters, 330 S. U.S. 301, Sumterville.

The event will include live music, displays and raffles. Business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m.

The main fundraiser for Kiwanis clubs of Lake Weir and Fort King supports charitable works for children throughout Marion County. The $75 fee includes barbecue lunch before tee time and corn boil, beer and prizes after play. Pre-registration required. For information, call 288-3000 or 236-0759.

PROTEST: AFGE Local 4056, American Federation of Government Employees, will be sponsoring a peaceful protest in front of the Social Security Administration building, 933 E. Silver Springs Blvd., at noon. (Jan7135@gmail.com)

<p>POLICE BEAT</p><p><b>Report: 35 vehicles have tires slashed</b></p><p>Tires were slashed or punctured on 35 vehicles in east Ocala neighborhoods Monday night and Tuesday morning, according to the Ocala Police Department.</p><p>The department is investigating the rash of vandalism affecting 32 victims and including 35 vehicles and 74 tires at businesses and apartment complexes in the 1800 to 2000 blocks of East Silver Springs Boulevard and the 2000 block of Northeast Third Street to the 2600 block of Northeast Seventh Street.</p><p>Anyone with information about the damaged tires may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Call Detective Mary Brewton at 629-8425, OPD at 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.</p><p><b>Police looking for missing woman</b></p><p>Ocala police are looking for a woman who has been missing since Monday.</p><p>On Tuesday, officers went to 2910 NW 18th St. after receiving a report that Shawn Marie Crowl, 40, was missing.</p><p>Crowl's boyfriend, Tony K. Brown, told an officer that the last time he saw his girlfriend was around 7 a.m. Monday. He said on Friday, the two had an argument. Brown said she was distraught and crying uncontrollably.</p><p>Brown said the back door was ajar Monday morning and she was gone, leaving her identification, debit card and cellphone behind.</p><p>Crowl's mother told another detective that she last talked with her daughter on Saturday. The woman said Brown called her on Monday afternoon and said he didn't know where she was.</p><p>Crowl's mother said it was unusual for Crowl to leave her identification and cellphone.</p><p>Anyone with any information about Crowl can call 369-7000, the Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.</p><p><b>Alleged robber shot; remains in hospital</b></p><p>A man who was shot while reportedly trying to rob an elderly man remains hospitalized, according to officials.</p><p>Lonnie Lorenza Hollingsworth Jr. was listed in stable condition on Wednesday, sheriff's officials said.</p><p>During his hospital stay, the 28-year-old Ocala man has been interviewed by Detective Rhonda Stroup and he denied trying to rob 81-year-old James Stevens on March 10. His recollection of the incident, authorities said, is hazy.</p><p>Though the investigation is ongoing, it appears the intended target will not face any criminal charges, officials said, based on the information they currently have.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>COMMUNITY</p><p><b>Marion Community Services is moving</b></p><p>Marion County Community Services is moving to a new location at 2631 SE Third St., Ocala.</p><p>The new office opens April 1, and the current office will be closed on March 29 to enable the move.</p><p>For more information, call the office at 671-8770.</p><p><b>Basketball court to close for renovation</b></p><p>The basketball court at Cougar Park, 14660 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy, will temporarily close through April 16 for court renovation. Work will include the replacement of the old basketball court with a new one. All other park areas will remain open to the public during construction.</p><p>For more information, call 671-8560.</p><p><b>April 6 rib sale will benefit local family</b></p><p>A benefit rib sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6 to help Candice and Danny Batson and their newborn son, Easton. The sale will be $20 per slab, and ribs can be picked up at Grandview Rentals, 800 N. Pine Ave., Ocala.</p><p>Easton was born March 10 after an uneventful pregnancy but immediately was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit at Shands at the University of Florida. Doctors determined half his brain had necrotic matter and was slowly dying, and the other half had blood in it.</p><p>The Batsons need help with living expenses and such as their son continues to receive care at Shands.</p><p><b>SECO meeting is set for Saturday</b></p><p>Sumter Electric Cooperative (SECO) will conduct its annual Meeting of the Membership beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the co-op's headquarters, 330 S. U.S. 301, Sumterville.</p><p>The event will include live music, displays and raffles. Business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m.</p><p>For more information, call 793-3801 or visit www.secoenergy.com</p><p><b>Christian women's group luncheon</b></p><p>The Ocala Christian Women's Connection invites area women to “The Winds of Fashion Luncheon” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ocala Hilton, 3600 SW 36th Ave., Ocala.</p><p>The event includes a fashion show by Valerie Strickland of Blue Willow Designs, harpist Glenna Jacola and speaker Paula Muehlhauser.</p><p>The cost is $18 and childcare is available. Reservations are required by Friday. For more information, call 236-1982</p><p><b>Golf scramble benefits Kiwanis</b></p><p>The 19th annual George Albright Jr. Golf Invitational four-player scramble begins at 11 a.m. March 29 at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, 13605 Del Webb Blvd., Summerfield.</p><p>The main fundraiser for Kiwanis clubs of Lake Weir and Fort King supports charitable works for children throughout Marion County. The $75 fee includes barbecue lunch before tee time and corn boil, beer and prizes after play. Pre-registration required. For information, call 288-3000 or 236-0759.</p><p><b>Acting workshops planned this spring</b></p><p>Longtime guest director Greg Thompson, an award-winning film and theatre artist, will teach several acting workshops this spring at Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.</p><p>Workshops include:</p><p>Ultimate Scene Study, 1 to 4 p.m. March 30-31 and April 6-7. Cost is $150.</p><p>The Artist's Image, noon to 4:30 p.m. April 27. Cost is $80.</p><p>Heat Up Your Cold Reading, 2 to 5 p.m. April 28. Cost is $60.</p><p>Advance registration is requested. For more information, call 236-2274.</p><p>CALENDAR</p><p>TODAY</p><p> </p><p><b>LIVE OAK:</b> Live Oak International Equestrian Show begins at 3 p.m. today, 9 a.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday at 8 a.m. Sunday at Live Oak Plantation, 2215 SW 110th Ave., Ocala. $10, 12 and younger $5. Pony rides, car show, bounce house and more. (873-9407 or www.liveoakinternational.com)</p><p> </p><p><b>PROTEST:</b> AFGE Local 4056, American Federation of Government Employees, will be sponsoring a peaceful protest in front of the Social Security Administration building, 933 E. Silver Springs Blvd., at noon. (Jan7135@gmail.com)</p><p> </p><p><b>ESL:</b> English as Second Language classes, 6 to 8 p.m., College Road Baptist Church, 5010 SW College Road, Ocala, (854-6981 or 237-5741); and 6 to 8 p.m., First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Room 202/204, Ocala. Free. (629-5683)</p><p> </p><p><b>BINGO:</b> Bingo, 7 p.m., Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala. (347-5753)</p><p> </p><p><b>TUTORING:</b> Tutoring, 3 to 5 p.m., Christ Community Church, 37 Dogwood Road, Ocala. $1 per session. (687-2009)</p><p> </p><p><b>GENEALOGY:</b> Help Center, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Marion County Public library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. (671-8551)</p><p> </p><p><b>ART CLUB:</b> Art club for adults, 2 p.m., Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2840)</p><p> </p><p><b>QUILT CLUB:</b>Bear Paws quilters, 5 to 8 p.m., Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2840)</p><p> </p><p><b>KIDS ART CLUB:</b> Art club ages 6-16, 4 to 5 p.m., Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. $1. (438-2840)</p><p> </p><p>THURSDAY</p><p> </p><p><b>SPCA:</b> Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Marion County, 1 p.m., Bank of the Ozarks, 8375 SW State Road 200, Ocala. (362-0985)</p><p> </p><p><b>PLANTS:</b> Right Plant Right Place presented by the Master Gardeners, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Marion Oaks Public Library, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala. Free. (438-2570)</p><p> </p><p><b>POKER TOURNAMENT:</b> Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament to benefit the Belleview/ South Marion Chamber of Commerce, 7 p.m., 5946 Magnolia Road, Belleview. $20 buy-in. (245-2178)</p><p> </p><p><b>MENDED HEARTS:</b> The Mended Hearts Support Group of Ocala, 3:30 p.m., West Marion Community Hospital, Medical Office Plaza, 4600 SW 46th Court, Ocala. (800-530-1188.)</p><p></p><p><b>METAL DETECTING CLUB:</b> Mid Florida Historical Research & Recovery Association, 6 p.m., United Way, 1401 NE Second Ave., Ocala. (595-1920)</p><p> </p><p><b>GENEALOGY:</b> The Genealogy Roundtable of Sumter County, 1 to 3 p.m., Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview. (330-2252 or www.wix.com/sumtergenealogy/sumtergenealogy)</p><p> </p><p><b>COFFEE CLUB:</b> Wall Street Coffee Club, 9 a.m., College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala. (800-443-4368)</p><p> </p><p><b>MASONS:</b> Fort King Daylight Masonic Lodge #389, 2 p.m., Ocala Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 3632 NE Seventh St., Ocala. (694-4196)</p><p></p><p><b>WIDOWS:</b> WOW Singles, 12:30 p.m., Red Lobster, 3393 SW College Road, Ocala. (237-5842 or 861-9487)</p><p> </p><p><b>COMPUTER CLASS:</b> Basic computer class, 1 p.m., Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview. (438-2500)</p><p> </p><p><b>COMPUTER CLASS:</b> Basic computer class, 2 p.m., Freedom Public library, 5870 SW 95 St., Ocala. Space is limited (438-2580)</p><p> </p><p><b>BOOK CLUB:</b> Drop-in book Club, 11 a.m., Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon. (438-2520)</p><p> </p><p><b>TEEN CHILI:</b> Amaryllis Secrets with expert Bill Warren, 3:30 p.m., Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview. (438-2500)</p><p> </p><p><b>ALZHEIMER TRAINING:</b> Techniques to Handle Challenging Behaviors, 5:15 p.m., HomeInstead Senior Care, 606 SW Third Ave., Ocala. (622-6447)</p><p> </p><p><b>SEMINAR:</b> Ameriprise financial presents a seminar on mange your taxes, noon, Golden Corral, 2111 SW College Road, Ocala. Reservations requested. (1-888-244-8619)</p><p> </p><p><b>SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON:</b> The annual YMCA Scholarship kickoff luncheon, noon, YMCA, 3200 SE 17th St., Ocala. Reservations are required.(368-9622)</p><p> </p><p><b>GENEALOGY:</b> Marion County Genealogical Society, 1 p.m., Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala. (897-0840, MarionGenealogy@gmail.com, or http://MarionGenealogy.tripod.com)</p><p> </p><p>To submit information for this list, send an e-mail to calendar@starbanner.com or visit www.ocala.com, scroll down and click on EVENTS CALENDAR on the right.</p>